Special Correspondent: The cultivation of transplanted Aman paddy is in full swing in Tarash, Sirajganj. During this crucial period, there has been a severe shortage of TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) fertilizer. Allegations have surfaced that taking advantage of the fertilizer crisis, Rajat Ghosh, the proprietor of Partha Enterprise and a dealer for both BSEC and BADC has been stealing fertilizer and selling it at higher prices. A case has been filed at the local police station regarding this matter.
Reliable sources indicate that Rajat Ghosh has attempted to cover up his involvement by falsely placing the blame for the fertilizer theft on his shop employee, Murshid. According to police case files and eyewitnesses, on Thursday, September 18, around 3:00 PM, 13 sacks of TSP fertilizer were being transported from Rajat Ghosh’s warehouse to be sold at Kuchiamara Bazaar in Ullapara Upazila. Locals grew suspicious upon seeing the TSP sacks. The fertilizer-laden van was subsequently taken to the police station. That same night, a case was filed against Murshid, an employee at Rajat Ghosh’s fertilizer shop.
There are further allegations that Rajat Ghosh, a trader at Tarash municipal market, owns a large warehouse and shop there. However, instead of storing fertilizer locally, he keeps it in a warehouse located in the remote Madhainagar Bazaar of Madhainagar Union. From this remote location, he has reportedly been selling fertilizer at inflated prices outside Tarash upazila for a long time.
When asked, Rajat Ghosh stated, “My shop employee Murshid attempted to steal and sell the fertilizer at a higher price in a neighboring upazila. A case has been filed against Murshid for this theft.”
However, farmers reject Rajat Ghosh’s claim. According to them, he personally manages fertilizer sales from his shop. They allege that it was Rajat Ghosh himself who tried to sell the fertilizer at higher prices in another upazila.
According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, the target for transplanted Aman cultivation this season has been set at 13,910 hectares. In the current month, 17 BADC dealers and 12 BSEC dealers have each received an allocation of only 48 sacks of TSP fertilizer.
Affected farmers, including Mostafa, Abdul Malek, and Shahinur Rahman, stated that there is already a severe shortage of TSP fertilizer during this Aman season. With Rajat Ghosh’s shop being closed, they are unable to get fertilizer.
An on-the-spot visit confirmed that since the incident of attempted illegal fertilizer sale, Rajat Ghosh’s fertilizer shop has remained closed. Farmers are returning empty-handed due to the unavailability of fertilizer.
Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agriculturist Sharmistha Sen Gupta, said, “Dealer Rajat Ghosh attempted to sell fertilizer in violation of policy. The fertilizer has been seized.”
Regarding the matter, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tarash Police Station, Md. Ziaur Rahman, stated, “A case has been filed against Murshid, an employee at Rajat Ghosh’s shop. We are investigating whether Rajat Ghosh himself was involved in the theft and illegal sale of the fertilizer.”
